Marion Frazier

A beacon of love, hope and service

Story by Joe Whitten

Photos by Wallace Bromberg Jr.

Submitted photos

“How would I describe Marion Frazier?” Bill Hereford, asked, echoing the interviewer’s question. “That’s easy — dynamite comes in small packages. Marion is a great community leader and friend who lives her faith. She gives me chills when she sings our national anthem.”

If you don’t know Marion Frazier, you’ve missed knowing a Pell City personality whose countenance and demeanor radiates her love for God, family, church and community. She has a deep concern for others — a life principle instilled in her by her mother, Lizzie Roberson. Marion voiced this when she spoke of her students as “the students I served.” Only the rarest of the best see teaching as a service to students.

“My mother was one to help people in the community,” Marion recalled, “She instilled in us that we needed to help somebody when they need it … and that’s what I’ve done.”

Born to John H. and Lizzie Roberson, Marion grew up in a home full of love. The family was one of togetherness that included evenings at the fireplace singing, playing games and mom making popcorn ball treats. These times contributed to a large family learning to live together. Her parents believed, “All of us want to live and want to be in harmony. That’s what we were taught at home. We didn’t fight at home.” She paused, then with a laugh confessed, “But we took care of each other if we needed to when we got outside!”

Her community influence started in 1967 at Eden Elementary School, and she’s been a driving force since then in the betterment of Pell City and St. Clair County. “She is dedicated to the betterment of the community,” said Sherry Bowers.

For 32 years, she “served” Pell City’s children. Her first year at Eden, she had a combined first- and second-grade class, which presented difficulties, she admitted. However, it was a good year. “Although I was the only black teacher there,” she remembered, “they took me under their wings — teachers, parents and children. … And all those children at Eden school, I loved them. I still get letters from them, and I see them in town and we just had a wonderful year.” She taught at Eden seven years, at Iola Roberts nine years, and finished her career teaching at Kennedy. She emphasized that she enjoyed teaching in each of those schools. All of her “children” were under her wings of love and acceptance.

“Marion Frazier was an exceptional teacher who loved her students and was dedicated to meeting each one’s individual needs,” said Sherry Pate, Marion’s principal at Kennedy. “She not only educated minds but also hearts. Mrs. Frazier’s spiritual beliefs spilled over into the lives of her students. It was an honor and pleasure to work with my good friend, Marion Frazier.”

Her God-given compassion got her appointed to the YWCA Purse and Passion Steering Committee. “Purse and Passion is a part of the YWCA,” Marion explains. “We work to fund Our Place, a home for abused women and children from St. Clair and Blount counties. It has been in existence since 2008. I came on the Steering Committee in 2010.”

The biggest fundraiser for this is the summer luncheon. At this event, tables are sponsored by individuals who invite friends to come who know they’ll be asked to donate to the local domestic violence shelter. Corporate and private foundation gifts are collected or pledged prior to the luncheon. The event raised $54,000 in 2019, though naturally the amount fluctuates year by year. According to the August 8, 2019, St. Clair Times article, Purse and Passion has helped raise $650,000 over the past 10 years.

Blair Goodgame, who served as co-chair of the event, considered Marion’s help as vital to the luncheon’s success, saying, “Marion has been an invaluable asset to the YWCA Purse and Passion Luncheon. Serving on the steering committee and as a table captain for many years, Marion has contributed not only her time, but also her talents. She often sings the National Anthem at the luncheon. As her voice fills the First United Methodist Church’s Beacon, it puts a smile on the faces of everyone in attendance … She is a true blessing for the St. Clair County community.”

For more than 20 years, Marion has served on the boards of The Children’s Place and DHR. The Children’s Place provides help for abused children. An April luncheon raises funds for this important facility. The director of DHR meets with the board to bring concerns to them for their counsel. “Marion and I worked together as DHR board members,” said Rev. Paul Brasher. “She is one of the most caring and tender-hearted persons I’ve ever known. She’s a fantastic person and a fantastic Christian that I really respect. It’s an honor to be her co-worker.”

Marie Manning spoke of Marion’s work in helping college students financially. “She has served on the Scholarship Committee of the Delta Epsilon Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma to provide students with funds for college. … She is truly a leader in her community and the city.”

With a servant’s heart, her sunshine disposition has blessed many people at St. Vincent’s St. Clair Hospital, where Marion has volunteered as a Pink Lady for 26 years.

She has served patients by reading to them and family members by praying with them in the chapel, and she now works in the gift shop. Undoubtedly, she has brought comfort to a hospital room through her singing, for songs can soothe the troubled soul.

Church is a sustaining force in her life. She’s been active in First Missionary Baptist Church, Pell City, since childhood. “I was over the Youth Department for 27 years,” she said. “My mother was a singer, and I enjoy singing. I have been singing in the choir since I was in the youth choir, and then the adult choir, and now I’m still singing in the senior choir.” Of their September 2019 Women’s Conference, she said, “We brought in a speaker, a singer — she was a recording artist — and we had a splendid time!”

Although having given up a lot of her church responsibilities, she’s still over the program committee and does all the programs for special events. “She has worked in the church and community for many years, and I’m certain her efforts are appreciated by many,” said Dr. Jeffrey Wilson, her pastor,

Her sphere of service extends beyond the local church, for since 2000, she has been secretary of the Mount Zion Coosa Valley District Association of churches serving St. Clair and Jefferson counties.

Married to Jesse Frazier for 46 and a half years, they have one son and daughter-in-law, Jamey and Kimberly Frazier, who are parents to Isabella.

Kimberly Frazier wrote, “To my second Mother, You have been the best mother-in-law anyone could ask for. You portray everything good in the world, and I am honored to be your daughter. You are always there for us, without hesitation, and with loving, open arms. Thank you for the father and husband you raised for Isabella and me. He carries your Godly spirit. You mean the world to us, GG.”

Marion’s mother was the great influence in her life, and the love of God the guiding force. A song she loves is Dottie Rambo’s “He Looked beyond My Faults and Saw My Need.” The concluding stanza reads: “I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary / To view the cross where Jesus died for me. / How marvelous the grace that caught my falling soul; / He looked beyond my faults and saw my needs.”

Marion Frazier has looked beyond the faults of others, saw their need and sought to lift up wounded, falling people to give them help and hope.

Faith and dynamite — that’s Marion Frazier. And when faith and dynamite join hands, step aside. l

What’s for breakfast?

New London firefighters
serve community

Story by Scottie Vickery

Photos by Graham Hadley

Jim Landrum, chief of the New London Fire Department, glanced at the pancake order handed to him on a small piece of paper. He smiled, poured some batter onto the hot griddle, and plopped some plump blueberries on top of the mix. “Coming right up,” he said. “Have a seat, and we’ll get it right to you.”

Made-to-order pancakes and omelets are just a few of the offerings at the community-wide breakfasts hosted twice a month by Landrum and his crew of volunteer firefighters. There’s also applewood bacon, sausage links and patties, eggs cooked to order, grits, hash browns, biscuits and gravy. For a donation of $8 a head for all you can eat, it’s a deal that makes you look forward to getting out of bed.

At least twice a month, the firefighters put down their gear and pick up their spatulas. The tools may change on Saturday mornings, but the dedicated volunteers are still doing what they’ve always done best: serving their community. The 22-member department, however, serves up much more than a great meal at a good price. They also provide their neighbors with security, protection and peace of mind.

“They’re good people,” Candi Childers said after enjoying a recent breakfast. “They do a lot of nice things for the community, and we try to support them whenever we can. They take good care of us.”

Percy and Sharon Jennings can attest to that. A few weeks before Christmas, a shed at their lake house went up in flames, and the responders managed to put it out just before it consumed their nearby home. “We had hired someone to burn leaves, and they’d put them out that afternoon, but about five hours later, the fire started up again,” Percy Jennings said. “Next thing we knew, the world was on fire.”

The Jennings’ daughter and son-in-law were at the house at the time and tried to battle the flames with fire extinguishers, but that proved impossible once the gas in the lawnmower ignited. “They were there within three minutes,” Sharon Jennings said. “That’s what saved our house. How do you thank them for something like?”

Pancakes with a purpose

Enjoying a plate (or two) of breakfast is a good way to start. The department receives $3 a month per household from the New London Water Authority, but the money raised at the breakfasts goes right back into the community. The firefighters have paid funeral expenses for struggling neighbors, helped provide Christmas gifts and given gift cards to help fire victims meet their immediate needs.

Mostly, though, the income allows them to purchase equipment to help them do their job more effectively. “It’s expensive to run a fire department,” Landrum said. “A nozzle to fight a fire is $600, and radios run about $700. We’re looking at buying our own air fill machine for air packs, and that’s $40,000. Turnout gear is $2,000 a firefighter, and we have to replace hoses and other equipment. We try to be as modern as we can on voluntary donations.”

They’ve come a long way in recent years, Landrum said. The department, which has three stations, boasts four full-size pumpers. The Water Authority is providing a fifth pumper truck in February, at which time one of the older pumpers will only be used to carry extra water and air packs. The department also has a brush truck for wood fires, as well as a fire and rescue boat. “We’ve got a first-class fire department now,” Landrum said, adding that each house in the district is within five miles of a station.

Like the residents of the New London community in Cropwell, most folks in Alabama rely on their neighbors in emergency situations. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an entity of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Alabama has 806 registered fire departments. Of those, 89 percent are completely or mostly volunteer, while the rest are totally or primarily staffed by career firefighters.

The New London crew, which provides fire protection, safety education and rescue services, participates in training twice a week. On Tuesday evenings, they focus on firefighting techniques and safety. Weekends are devoted to rescue skills, such as cutting people out of cars and lifting patients properly. “I’m so proud of this fire department,” Landrum said. “These guys put a lot of time and effort into this, and they don’t get a nickel.”

Neighbors helping neighbors

Landrum, who grew up in Birmingham and had a demanding career in Atlanta, came to Logan Martin Lake most weekends before he and his wife, Ilene, moved to the lake full-time about 11 years ago. He joined the fire department the same way most of the volunteers do – after being recruited by a friend – and has served as chief for three years.

Brad Hicks came on board about two years ago after calling the fire department himself. “About a month after I moved into my house, I smelled what I thought was an electrical fire. They showed up on a snowy day less than five minutes after I called,” he said. It turns out his electrical box shorted out, which they discovered with a thermal imaging camera. Before leaving, the firefighters asked him if he wanted to be part of the team.

“I had a hard time saying no,” Hicks said. “How could you not want to be a part of a group of good people who do so much for the community? These folks are a family.”

Much like other families, they enjoy eating together so the breakfasts are a perfect fit. Landrum, who fondly remembers enjoying the community-wide breakfasts held in the 1980s and 1990s, proposed the idea of bringing them back several years ago. They have been a tremendous hit, often drawing diners from Birmingham, Anniston and other communities. The breakfasts are typically held the first and third Saturdays of each month from 7-10 a.m., although the firefighters took some time off for the holidays and often host more breakfasts during the spring and summer months.

“One year, we did it every Saturday during the summer – that was brutal,” Landrum said with a laugh. “It’s turned into quite an event, though. It has grown and grown and grown. The community loves it, and we love doing it.”

Short order cooks

The breakfasts draw crowds of about 120-150 people. The crew arrives about 5 a.m. to begin preparing since diners arrive with big appetites. Each event requires 45-60 pounds of bacon, 6-8 pounds of sausage patties that are donated by Royal Foods, 4-5 pounds of link sausage and 12-14 dozen eggs. Landrum, who typically mans the griddle, estimates he makes about 150 plate-sized pancakes, which can be ordered plain or with blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, bananas or any combination of the toppings. About 60-80 omelets are made each time with any combination of bacon, sausage, ham, cheese, tomatoes, onions, peppers, jalapeño, salsa and sour cream.

“We look forward to breakfast here,” said Glenn Barton, of Lincoln. He and his wife, Debra, meet Barton’s sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Doug Robinson, at the events most weeks. The Robinsons, who live in Moody, have a weekend place at the lake and love to catch up with family and friends while enjoying a good meal.

That’s a draw for many of the diners. One recent Saturday, the seats were full, and a line of about 20 people had formed about 8:30. Conversation was in full swing and hugs were in abundance as folks greeted neighbors and family members they hadn’t seen in a while. “We meet somebody new every time we come,” Childers said. “The people are what makes this nice. You get to socialize, and the money goes to what is needed.”

If that’s not reason enough to get out bed, there’s always Barton’s philosophy. “It’s a special occasion,” he said with a grin. “It’s Saturday, and there’s bacon.”

St. Clair growth

Economic trend continues for county

Story by Carol Pappas
Photos by Graham Hadley

If anyone is keeping score of late, St. Clair County’s tallies in the economic development column looks enviable from most vantage points.

Calling activity in the investment and jobs creation arena “robust” in 2019, St. Clair Economic Development Council Director of Industry and Workforce Development Jason Roberts also hints at a just as lively start to 2020.

“We are working on two large projects with international companies that we hope to be successful in recruiting in the very near future. One of these projects could be potentially the largest private investment in St. Clair County’s history.”

St. Clair EDC Executive Director Don Smith took it a step further, saying that it underscores that St. Clair is not only competing statewide and regionally, it is competing on a global stage. And, it’s doing quite well.

Like an accountant calculating record sales, Roberts recounts the activity and announcements for year-to-date, where St. Clair has experienced growth in existing industry – TCI, Ford Meter Box, WKW’s two expansions, Allied Minerals, Benjamin Moore, Unipres, J&M Exotic Foods and Advanced Tank.

Investments amount to more than $103 million and approaching 150 newly created jobs over the past 18 months.

WKW, which is in the automotive sector, completed its second expansion at the end of September and brought another business line from China. The new line will begin production in 2020. WKW, already in St. Clair’s top five employers, is adding another 30 jobs through its $13 million investment.

Allied Minerals represented a $12 million investment with retention of 60 jobs plus 30 new ones created by consolidating a facility from the east into the brand-new Pell City construction.

Unipres in Steele completed a large expansion at its stamping facility for metal automotive parts. Add $40 million in investments and 70 new employees to St. Clair’s economy in just that one project.

Benjamin Moore is adding a 10,000-gallon latex reactor to its paint facility, generating eight new jobs, $33 million in investment and illustrating the county’s successful venture into high tech competition. “The last couple of years, the community has been able to flex its muscles when competing domestically and internationally,” Smith said.

J&M Exotic Foods in Moody is doubling the size of its facility that produces spices and herbs with custom blending and packaging. Figure in another $2 million investment and 11 new jobs to St. Clair’s credit.

Roberts called Advanced Tank’s growth a “relatively small, but important expansion. St. Clair competed with a site in Colorado, the base of Advanced Tank’s operation, for the upgrading of its plate processing and sandblasting.

Advanced Tank has had a presence in Pell City since 1978, and while the $3.5 million investment and 12 new jobs created is impressive enough, “that we got it to come here is pretty important. New investments in new facilities usually are the last to suffer cuts” if there is a downturn, he said. “New investment means viability in the future.”

In other economic news, Smith pointed to an improving housing market, a new car dealership announced for Odenville and a half dozen or so retail and restaurant projects as reasons to be optimistic about the future.

A major retail development is hoped at I-20 at the site of the old county hospital, but there are no final plans or announcements to be made right now.

“We have had good announcements in nearly every community in the county in the past 18 months,” Smith said. And those without announcements thus far, “we’re working on very large projects. Hopefully, it will be a record-setting end of 2019 and beginning of 2020.”

Why all the focus on St. Clair? “We have all the amenities of a large, urban area like Birmingham combined with safety and low cost of a rural community and the close-knit family friendly aspects of a suburban community,” Smith said. “We’re able to market all three of those.”

Geographically, St. Clair sits in an enviable spot with two major thoroughfares – Interstate 20 and Interstate 59 running through it.

“Our leadership throughout the county works extremely well together,” added Roberts. “It makes it easier to operate here. It is an unparalleled level of collaboration and cooperation.”

Tally it all up, and it appears St. Clair County continues to be in the economic driver’s seat.

Good news in Moody

Economic trend continues with new openings

Story by Linda Long
Contributed photos

Ribbons may soon be in short supply in Moody thanks to a flurry of grand openings and ribbon cutting ceremonies. The old tradition of putting scissors to ribbon symbolizes a new start that says, “come on in, we’re open for business.” And Moody is definitely open for business. 

Proof lies in the sounds of the times: That annoying, but necessary, ‘beep-beep’ warning as a construction foreman lets folks know his heavy bulldozer is backing up. The nearby rat-a-tat-tat of a noisy jackhammer is heard playing its raucous tune. And the cement trucks maintain a steady drone as concrete is smoothed out for a new foundation. 

Some might call it noise. But for Moody Mayor Joe Lee, it’s music to his ears.

And, why not? Lee loves seeing the town grow from barely a blip on a map to the second largest city in St. Clair County. He has been in public service for the past 27 years, first as a member of the Moody City Council, then as mayor for the past 16 years.

Commenting on the number of building projects, both commercial and residential, under way right now, Lee said, “I’m real proud of what I see happening here. I’ve been part of the leadership of this city for a long time, now. I’ve put a lot of effort into making sure we have grown and grown in the right way.”

The new Metro Bank building, which opened its doors officially with a ribbon cutting in November, is testament to that growth. It’s the newest and, perhaps, brightest gem in Moody’s economic crown. 

“They were leasing a spot in the Professional Building, and people couldn’t find them,” said Lee. “Now, they’ve got their own brick-and-mortar store and the location is promoting new business. People drive by them every day. They say Moody has a Metro Bank that’s here to stay.”

Although the bank building is new, Metro Bank has been open in Moody for the past 10 years. Still, Metro Bank President and CEO Jason Dorough agrees with the mayor predicting new customers will come with the new location built by Goodgame Co.

“We really needed more exposure,” said Dorough. “We had people tell us they didn’t even know we were in Moody.”

That problem should be eliminated with the building’s new location, right on Moody Parkway and its 6,500 square feet. The bank’s lobby is graced with a stately cathedral ceiling with lots of cheerful windows to bring in the light.

“What can I say?” laughed Dorough. “We’re a newer, bigger, prettier facility.”

He was quick to point out that despite moving upscale, the one thing that will not change, is Metro Bank’s commitment to remain Moody’s only community bank. “All of our employees are Moody people.

“They live here, shop here, work here. They’re making a big commitment here,” Dorough said.

“Most of the other banks are larger, not headquartered in St Clair County. We try to leave the bank business to the people who run the branch. They are all good people, with a lot of experience. We let them make their own decisions. If they need our guidance, we’re here for them.”

One of the biggest pluses with the move is “we’ve got room to grow. In all of our other locations, we’ve wished we had more offices and things of that nature. Moody is a growing town, and we want to grow right along with it. We feel like there’s a lot of potential here in Moody.”

More growth ahead for city

Apparently, Metro Bank isn’t the only investor seeing potential in this St. Clair County community. According to Lee, several new businesses are in varying stages of completion.

A 95-room Holiday Inn Express is under construction fronting Interstate 20. According to Lee, “the same folks building the Holiday Inn are also building a new Exxon station with an additional two new store fronts for lease, though we don’t know yet what’s going in there.” Those structures are located on U.S. 411, across from Adesa Auto Auction.

Popeye’s Fried Chicken, located on U.S. 11 and Markeeta Spur Road was 90 days away from opening in November and according to Lee, another yet to be identified, retail store will be built on property located between Popeye’s and Bojangles.

“We’re expecting a real shopping hub to develop in the area around Popeye’s,” said Lee.  “We’ve got more property for sale around there and behind Bojangles, there’s eleven commercial acres for sale. We look for it to develop in the near future.”

Two other business developments that are expected to bring new jobs to Moody include a supermarket located in the shopping center at Moody Parkway and an expanding J.M. Exotic Foods, located in Industrial Park.

“We’re in negotiations right now with a supermarket to try to backfill the space left vacant when Fred’s went out of business. That’s going to create 55 new jobs, Lee said. “Also, Exotic Foods has a new packing contract that’s going to double the size of their operation.

That will bring in 11 more jobs.

The growth is seen well beyond retail and industrial, though. “All the commercial growth we’re having is pushing residential growth as well.” A 58-unit senior citizen complex is under construction for those 55 and up. Completion date is expected around the first of the year. “It’s a little village in itself,” said Lee.

“It has a clubhouse and common areas, and each unit is for rent.”

The mayor said some new subdivisions under construction include 120 new homes at The Reserve in the Highlands and 135 houses being built in Oak Hills. 

Population in Moody following the last census was 12,457. According to Lee, the projected population following the next census in 2020 is expected to be 15,000, underscoring the fact that Moody has long since shed its status as a blip on the map.

Holiday Decorating

Experts tell you how to deck the halls the easy way

Story by Eryn Ellard
Photos by Gerald Ensley Jr.

It can be the most wonderful time of the year, but the stressful pace of the holiday season seems to heighten during the holidays when decorating worries are in the mix.

Take it from the experts. It doesn’t have to be.

 According to two top preforming retailers, both of whom specialize in décor and gifts, and one creative interior designer, if its gets to be too overwhelming, it isn’t worth doing, and if you’ve tried, and things didn’t turn out as planned, the sun will still rise in the morning, as the old saying goes.

From timeless classics to eclectic, over-the-top interior designs and everywhere in-between, some of the county’s top talent share some tips and tricks of the trade when it comes to decorating for Christmas, so that you can get back to the real meaning of the season.

Well-known local retailer Jordan Morton of Magnolia’s Gift Shop, which has now grown into three separate locations, says she learned her ways of decorating from her mother, and it was always a family tradition preparing for Christmas. “When I was a little girl, my mom would put a tree in every room and decorate every spot of our home,” Morton said. “It was so magical!” Morton’s business is probably most well-known for their trademark giftwrapping, and their “go big” approach when it comes to Christmas, in both decorating and unique gifts.

As far as trends for this holiday season, Morton says it is both a challenging and unique experience to gather what customers really value in each of her stores. “Each store has its own little personality, so we can tailor certain things to the local communities,” she said. “We try to create a space where you can enjoy finding a really nice gift or decoration for any occasion in life.”

Morton’s tips for decorating seem easy enough to follow, but just as easy to create a mess. The biggest mistake she sees her customers making is trying to figure out decorating all at once. “Whether you’re just starting out, or wanting to refresh what you already own, it’s best to take it one step at a time,” Morton said. She also believes that a good Christmas tree is a great investment, as well as mantle garland.

“Then, next year you look to build off that look by adding garlands for your staircase or decorative items for your centerpieces,” she added. By doing smaller areas at a time, Morton says it also alleviates the stress and cost of decorating by trying to do it all during the busiest time of the year. It also gives you room to experiment with different themes, greenery or statement pieces that you may not even like the next year.

This year, Morton says the buffalo check pattern has been a strong seller, and it seems to be sticking around. She also added that the “vintage” Christmas feel is making a comeback, “… and of course you won’t ever be out of style with red and green decorations.” Morton also points out that a good rule of thumb is to have a few “statement pieces” incorporated within your home. “These can be large trays, pottery pieces, lanterns or pottery pieces you can dress up or down throughout the year, and you can always give them a different look based on the time of year, just by adding different floral pics or ribbon.”

Special decorations for special places

For the last 29 years, Gerald Ensley, owner of Southern Manor Interiors in Pell City, has been decorating and designing special spaces for his clients. Always dressed to impress and driving what he has dubbed the “glitter van” because he always carries glitter and other special touches with him to use in his plans – from simple to elaborate. Ensley loves to see his client’s vision come to life, all year long, not just during the holiday season. However, Ensley stays booked every year for the six weeks of Christmas with design work he delivers to his clients.

“As far as decorating goes, don’t ever be afraid to try something new. If it doesn’t work, don’t be afraid to try again.” Ensley believes it is easy for people to see a vision or an idea they would love to see in their home for Christmas, but can often be hard to execute, so they become overwhelmed and quit altogether.

Known for his eclectic and larger-than-life creations, Ensley also believes in working with what you have. “Anything can be used in a tree,” said Ensley. “I’ve put lanterns in trees, signs, statues meant for tables, you name it.”

When asked if he had to choose a few key pieces that are timeless and necessary for Christmas decorating, he responded that a good tree that actually “fits” the room it will be in is always a great investment, along with a good nativity scene and a good wreath. “When I start decorating a tree, I always start with the topper, which doesn’t always have to be at the top of the tree, and work around that,” Ensley said. “From there, I am able to see what (clients) have and what I have to work with, and what I need to bring in.”

He also advises not to be afraid to mix different types and sizes of greenery, ribbon, beads, lights, anything you’ve got when decorating your tree, mantle, tables, anywhere you are planning to place something as a decoration.

Everyone is different, and their decorating should reflect what they want. Flocked trees have been very popular in recent years, but there really aren’t any “one size fits all” Christmas trends, it just all depends on each client. “I just don’t think inside the box,” he said. “I don’t look at it as a one-size-fits-all type job, but rather creating spaces where you can make new and special memories with family and friends.” 

Just down the road a piece, flustered decorators and perfect gift hunters can be found at Main Street Drugs, a pharmacy and gift shop, also with three locations. Owner Jennifer Eddy ascertains a strong love for family – especially children. “I know my son loves the color blue, and he loves football,” Eddy said. “So, I know we will have a blue football-themed tree somewhere in our house just for him.” 

Her personal take on decorating is just that – what she likes. That might include classical looks with a traditional topper and heirloom ornaments, to just downright fun decorations, like an upside-down elf tree topper. Or it might be festive threads of ribbon and ornaments with clever sayings, that when you see it all set up, you can’t help but feel happy. 

With signature wrapping of red and green polka dots, to themed trees, she carefully plans and budgets each year, in order to remain pocketbook friendly, as well as effective with her decorating pieces. She, too, also shares her love of adding different styles of accents – from greenery, to peacock feathers, to floral pics, she believes it should express who you are and what you like.

Eddy also has searched for special pieces from local vendors, ranging from Mississippi to Pell City.

While Christmas can become a stressful time, Eddy admits, it is all about its magic to the children. “Kids love to help,” Eddy said. “Buy a box of plastic shatterproof ornaments and a small tree for them to decorate themselves. It means the world to them and makes them feel included.”

She loves the look on a customer’s face when she creates a custom bow or helps pick out a great gift. It is what she loves most about this season, and it’s her way of giving back to the community.

Wester Farms

Odenville home to four-legged world champions

Story by Elaine Hobson Miller
Photos by Mike Callahan
Contributed Photos

As horse farms go, Wester Farms in Odenville doesn’t look out of the ordinary.

A 21-stall barn houses the horses and their tack. Several horse trailers are parked nearby. Huge round hay bales and several square bales are stacked in a slightly smaller barn next door, along with bales of pine shavings to line the stall floors.

The usual farm equipment is scattered about, such as tractors, horse trailers, a backhoe, a telehandler with 40-foot telescoping lift, a skid steer with a fork and a walk-behind loader that is used to clean stalls.

It’s not a glamorous place, but it is home to two very glamorous horses who have set records in the racking horse industry. When High Sword won the World Grand Champion title in October, Cadillac by Jazz won the Reserve World Champion title at the same show in Decatur. Roy Wester owns both horses, marking the first time in the history of the racking horse industry that horses owned by the same person took the two top spots at the championship show.

High Sword, ridden by trainer Jamie Lawrence of Vinemont, was World Grand Champion in 2014 and 2015, too, making him the only horse in racking horse history to win that title three times. Roy rode Cadillac by Jazz in the championship competition.

Both horses competed in qualifying classes to get to the championship level. “These two horses won separate qualifying classes prior to competing for the World Grand Championship that crowned the world’s best racking horse at the 48th annual Racking Horse World Celebration in Decatur,” he says.

Racking horses are derived from the Tennessee Walking Horse, and most are registered as both walking and racking. About 80,000 racking horses are in the industry’s national registry, Racking Horse Breeders’ Association of America (RHBAA), which began in 1971 and is located in Decatur.

During show season, which is April through November, Wester works with the horses four or five days a week. He participates in about 20 shows per season. During the rest of the year, colts and unfinished horses are made ready for the next season. He raises about 20 of his own colts and buys 10-20 more starts that he trains and re-sells.

“It’s a lot of tough work for trainers and all involved, a lot of late nights, and you don’t get many days off,” he says of the racking horse business. “But I just love it.”

At 70 years old, Wester still mounts a horse from the ground, as opposed to using a mounting block, because he has been doing it all his life. He confesses, however, that he lowers the stirrups to mount, then raises them to their proper length.

His two sons show along with him, and his wife, Joan, goes to shows and cheers them on, helps with advertising and is the wardrobe mistress. “She dresses me,” Wester says. But she does not ride any more. Wester has a couple of employees that help train and show, and some of the horses are trained by Jamie Lawrence.

As many as 24-30 horses occupy the farm at foaling time, which occurs in the fall and in the spring. Only 30 percent of his foals are born in the fall, because it’s too expensive to winter them. Wester’s horses go through 200 round bales and 2,500 square bales per year, along with 80 pounds of pellets and corn per week, as it is.

“That does not include 100 round bales for the cows and 22 horses we keep in Cherokee County,” says Wester, who owns his and his wife’s family farms there.

Retired from Arlington Construction Co. in Birmingham, for which he built 50,000 apartment units, until last year, Wester showed as an amateur because he does not train horses he does not own. “An amateur can show in any class, but a professional, who trains horses for other people, can only show in the open classes,” he explains. “I get a lot of people every month who call wanting me to train their show horses, but I don’t do that.”

He has won amateur Grand Champion on Cadillac by Jazz three times and the men’s amateur four times. “Jazz has won more blues (first-place ribbons) in his career than any horse I have ever shown,” Wester says. “He was also a world champion Tennessee Walking Horse in Shelbyville prior to starting his career as a racking horse in 2014. He has been showing since he was four, and he will be 14 next spring.”

Another one of Wester’s horses, 16-year-old Tears, was the 2016 World Grand Champion racking horse. “I rode him myself, and I won three amateur world championships on him and three amateur world grand championships,” he says. “I have shown Cadillac myself since 2015 and now train him here. Both Tears and Cadillac have been winning all their lives.”

Wester got the horse bug from his father, who raised Tennessee Walkers with S.W. Beech Stables in Tennessee. “We didn’t show, we just got them ready, and they (the stables) sold them for show work,” he says. “I deal mainly with racking horses on pads with no action device, which is a requirement for the RHBAA World Grand Championship.”

Some of his stallions, including the two latest champions, go to Campbell Stables in Cullman during breeding seasons (fall and spring). “They do our shipping and breeding,” Wester says.  “We don’t live-cover any mares at the breeding barn. It’s all through artificial insemination, except for the stallions who stay at my barn (Spinzone, Tears and Gen’s Rocky Road).”

Another winner is now enjoying life as a pet for his granddaughter and a companion for mares and their foals. The 15-year-old sorrel gelding is José On Call, and Roy won the 2012 men’s show pleasure championship on him. That horse’s show career ended when Wester’s 9-year-old granddaughter claimed José as her own. She’s 16 now, and José is still her horse.

“She just pets him and rides him, she doesn’t show him,” Wester says. “I made a lot of money on that deal, didn’t I?”